Hypericum Pruning: Late Winter/Early Spring

A gardener planted 4 hypericum (St. John's Wort) last late summer. Three yellow-flowered, one berried. Branches brown/orange now. Asked if too late to prune.

Best Pruning Time

Late winter or early spring (before new growth). Now is fine if buds haven't broken.

Pruning Options

• Light shaping: Remove dead/crossing branches. Tip-prune for density.
• Renewal (every 3 years): Cut entire shrub to 6–12" above ground. Stimulates vigorous new growth and heavy bloom.
• Berried type: Likely H. x inodorum or H. androsaemum. Same pruning.

Current Brown Foliage

Winter bronzing is normal for many hypericums. Wait for green buds to swell, then prune.

Care Notes

• Full sun to part shade.
• Well-drained soil.
• Drought-tolerant once established.
• Few pests. Occasional rust—remove affected leaves.

Prune now (late winter/early spring). Renewal prune if leggy. They bounce back fast.